The Nashville Star

Chris Young is the new Nashville Star, and we wish him well. He does seem telegenic, and he sounds like a radio-friendly kind of singer.

The whole Nashville Star is a microcosm is what is going on here in lovely Music City.

Where do I start? First, let's look at the role model for any talent show success, "American Idol." That show has a formula not unlike Coke. Sugar, water, carbonation, and a few dyes ... and it's the most popular soft drink in the world. Not much to it, but many have tried and few have effectively challenged the Real Thing. Same with Idol.

There's Simon, first and foremost, and the fact that most (if not all) of the candidates come from a small town, plus I'm sure there are other factors involved (including age), but they are more subtle. The show is also musically first class and getting more exciting on that level with big arrangements, slick production, strings, a great studio, and wonderful sound ... the whole package. The judges are comical and have become caricatures. Paula is kooky, Simon is Simon, and Randy wants to do right but falls over his hipness. Ryan Seacrest is actually getting better. Isn't he?

Nashville Star is better than it was. It is still the cheaper version of Idol that just doesn't have the money apparently to do it up Idol style. The following of the candidates and making that hook us so we care as the tryouts continue in the season.

The lack of Country Radio getting with the show is odd for both sides. You would think radio would be all over it like the Pop stations are all over Idol. It's that dullard, lack of imagination that a lot of country radio has. Country radio just doesn't know who it is or what it is supposed to be. To play the Dixie Chicks or not? To play new artists or not? To talk or not to talk ? What is the answer?

Radio should have gotten in bed with Nashville Star and helped them find stars and make them, too. Or is your 10pm eastern time programming at night so exciting and audience grabbing you can't simulcast if that was available?

Growing new stars is the lifeblood of any business. Look at Hollywood. They are finding that they stayed too long with Costner, Gibson, Travolta and probably Cruise instead of growing the male heart throbs alongside the current ones.

From the boring radio station managers who only see dollar signs, to the programmers who only know liner cards and begging labels for money and help, down to the announcers who grew up shutting up, all of radio is a mess. Someone has to break the chain of dullness.

I'm not sure what you do about consolidation. That is probably the one big factor in this whole puzzle. Out of town people running local business. Many of you can't make a decision without talking to headquarters.

Breaking rules is how every success story in radio or TV was ever made. It is sure time for someone to shake the tree and let the bosses get hit on the head with a coconut. Long term look at what CBS did this week with the internet. Things are changing, and if you think HD Radio is your savior, look at AM stereo. It is CONTENT not jukebox. Look at POST Infinity ratings after Stern. It is still about People, Stars and things that are said, not just heard.

Show me ONE automated Country Station that was EVER Number One. You can't so don't try. Ok, number one isn't your mission, we just want a share to compete ... GAG.